I have been running Conti GP's for almost two decades and keep moving with the nomenclature progression. They are very much puncture resistant, light, very sticky for cornering, and a real value for a German made tire for pro racing standards. Unless QC goes out the window or I am given a competitor tire to try to formulate feedback, I will not vacate using this tire. I run a 700 x 25 sizing on a set of full carbon Spinergy wheels that are 32 mm deep with a Hadley Ti Racing hub. If you have not ridden these and are looking for a new manufacturer, give them a try.
I've had three pairs of these. Each one last 4-5,000 miles. Arizona roads.
Good
Continental hit the exact sweet spot with the 5000. Perfect mix of speed and flat resistance. Excellent cornering grip too. I use the 32mm size on both my road bike and gravel bike's road wheelset. Have worn out 25mm and 28mm similar Conti 4000s as well, and strongly recommend the 32mm width if your bike can take it. The lower pressure greatly & noticeably improves comfort, traction, and tread life. For the occasional fast smooth pavement ride you can pressure them up to be same or lower rolling resistance as thinner tires. I suppose their extra width adds wind resistance, but if that makes a statistically provable difference in your riding then no worries because your team mechanic is wrangling your gear anyway. My only qualification on the 5000 is that it should only see minimal gravel use. I ruined the sidewall on a rear tire one time.
Fast. Comfortable. Puncture resistant.
I like how easy it mounts (slips) on to the rim. I had many other tires before and they were a pain to put on.
I even had to go see a bike shop mechanic to force other tires than the Contintal Grand Prix 5000 on the wheel.
The GP 5000 S-TRs are the best I've ever ridden and I've tried a lot! The rolling resistance of these tires are among the lowest in production - super fast, great road feel, supple and sticky. I'm 155 lbs, run them tubeless, and they last me about 3,000 miles on the rear; longer on the front. They are not a puncture free tire but for a race tire they are more durable than others (Pirelli, Specialized Turbo). If you want puncture free - go with the Conti Gatorskins. I ride about 5,000 miles per year and have burned through at least 5 of these tires. I keep coming back! At $120 they are an okay deal. But if you are patient, you can often find them under $90 - a great value!
I have used Continental Grand Prix 4000 tires on all my bikes since they were first released and I did not think a better road tire could be produced. When I saw that the Grand Prix 5000 was being released, I ordered a pair the same day. The new tire is incredible and has lived up the the claims of faster, more comfortable, and more grip. I am impressed with the improvements.
I'm a road cyclist that wants a tire that rolls fast and has good grip--the Continental Grand Prix 5000 hits the mark. They might not have the best puncture protection, but that's to be expected from a tire that's lightweight and has low rolling resistance.
Before ordering, I checked reviews of these tires. Sounded almost too good to be true. Fast, durable, grippy? And in sale! So I put a pair on my Serotta, and I'll be darned: what they say is true. This is a great tire, one of the best.
I use these (28mm GP5000s) with latex tubes at 80psi rear and a pound or two less in front. I'm about 180 pounds. They are mounted on Velocity Aileron rims optimized for 28mm tires so the tire is the same width as the rim for smooth airflow. I raced road, track, cyclocross and mountain bike most of my life. These tires feel fast and help smooth some of the rough roads. The tread is straight. A lot of expensive tires have wiggly tread and lumps. The GP5000s are straight and smooth with no lumps. The latex tubes not only help them roll easier, but also allow the casing to conform to the road for better cornering traction as well. They wear well and do not cut easily. If I were to to enter some kind competition, I would use carbon wheels and 25mm GP5000s but I like the 28s for comfort and probably would not be at very much of a disadvantage with the 28s being slightly heavier.
My one minor complaint is the tread pattern. There is no need for it and I would perfectly happy with slicks like on any road racing motorcycle. Motos do use rain tires with tread but that's because of the higher speed and larger contact patch. Bicycle tires go a LOT slower and the quarter size contact patch negates any need to "channel" water away.
I put these on a Cannondale HiMod SuperSix and I fly. I've run a few gravel roads and they hold up well.
I use the Conti 5000 on my road bike. It is just an excellent all around road tire with great rolling resistace and durability. The value proposition is really good, particularly when BTB puts these on sale. Don't miss out.
I love the Conny GP 5000, for the money (on sale) the best I've found
In my experience the Conti 5000 is the best all around cycling tire. I am a big guy @ 245lbs and avg group rides of 20 mph+. The ride quality, durability, and performance always hits the mark. I am running 30mm on a CAAD13 at 65-70 PSI, and the tire just delivers. With the tire quality, lower tire pressure with running 30mm, & the lower rolling resistance, the ride experience is top notch. I highly recommend. Ride safe!
I haven't been on Conti's in several years and when these went on sale I decided to try them again. I got the 30's and they were relatively easy to mount on my Roval rims. Measured out to exactly 30mm wide when aired up to 60 pounds. I'm running latex tubes in mine and this tire/tube combo rides fantastic. Super grippy and stable in corners and buttery smooth. I can really lean the bike on its side and rail corners and turns. After a few hundred miles...no nicks or cuts or flats, I often hit dirt roads and tame gravel sections and they so far have been up to the task. Definitely not a gravel tire but I can pick my way through. So far, great!
Bought new endurance frame and chose these in 32mm for it. Large enough to ride very light gravel and to run pressures low enough for some comfort. I've ridden Conti's 4 Season, 4000 and Hardshells (winter only) for 12 years on three bikes and feel they create a high quality mainstream product that has performed well. 5000s are too new to have much time on them, but initially they are very similar to the 4000s. Rode through several areas of broken glass and the tire didn't pick any up, I have high expectations for these tires and so far they are meeting them.
People will tell you these tires are hard to put on, and they are, until you know the trick. Once you get to the stage where you can't get the bead over the rim, go around the rest of the wheel, pinching the tire and shaking it like a Polaroid picture. This will debead and give enough slack for you to get the tire on without tools. You wouldn't believe how many tire levers and inner tubes I broke before I figured this out. Skill issue.
Just read the review from 7/11/2003, stating the Conti GP 5000 were difficult to mount on Mavic Ksyrium Elite rims.
I have three of these wheelsets, and have never had any issues mounting them. I use no tools, only my hands-perhaps a different technique could solve his problems with these tires.
For whatever it is worth, I have worked in the bicycle business for decades, owning a bike shop, and now do charity work in a shop that does charity work that involves restoring bicycles for sale. Also, have been mounting tires on my race bikes (Sew-ups, or tubulars, clinchers, tubeless, etc.) since 1972. So, perhaps I have an advantage on mounting tires.
Perhaps the solution would be for this person to take their Mavic wheels to a bike shop, & get a few pointers there, & hopefully find a slightly different technique that would solve the problem.
Good luck!
Really like these tires. Have had these on one bike and Vittoria Corsa Pro Control on another. Totally different tires. Conti more durable and fast. Vittoria more plush. Hard to fault GP500.
